Sylvester Stallone helms an homage to fading action stars that hits the mark

Lean, mean, funny and chockablock with fast-twitch demolition spectacle, 'The Expendables' represents a grand finale for several generations of action cinema stars (Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, etc.). Although there are obvious political influences at play, the film walks a fine generic line of idealism that errs on the side of graphic novel cartoonishness without succumbing entirely to style. Grade: B.